Coachella Valley impacted by Cesar Chavez Day cancellations, after sexual abuse allegations

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - Following sexual abuse allegations against civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, the Coachella Valley could be impacted with events scaled back on the holiday.

Celebrations for the holiday were canceled by the Cesar Chavez Foundation and United Farm Workers (UFW) Foundation, after a New York Times investigation found substantial evidence that Chavez sexually molested and groomed young girls.

The UFW said in its statement that allegations include, 'very young women or girls may have been victimized.'

UFW co-founder, Dolores Huerta, has also come forward with claims that Chavez raped her on two occasions, according to a statement released by her spokesman.

Here in the Coachella Valley, Chavez's imprint on the labor rights movement has been undeniable. During his movement, Chavez advocated for better working conditions for day laborers in the East Valley.

The city of Coachella has a street named after the late civil rights leader, and had plans to formally declare a 'Coachella Chavez Day.'

Local leaders also reacted to the allegations. Representative Raul Ruiz issued the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

"I am deeply heartbroken for the victims, Ms. Murgia, Ms. Rojas, and Ms. Dolores Huerta. My thoughts are with them as they process this pain.

I am outraged and disgusted by the harm that was done to young girls. There is no excuse for abuse, and I unequivocally condemn rape and child molestation.

Like many, I am grappling with the fact that someone I once saw as an inspiration caused such harm. That makes this even more painful,  but it does not change what is right. We must stand with survivors and hold abusers accountable.

We must also support organizations like "Líderes Campesinas", which work on the front lines to combat sexual harassment and abuse in the agricultural industry.

I will continue to honor and fight for farmworkers and the farmworker movement , not the man."

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D.

Tonight, News Channel 3 is digging deeper into how these allegations are impacting the community and future celebrations for Cesar Chavez Day on March 31.